| something we can agree upon |
|---|
| 1. Amp Live "You Are Not Human" |
| 2. Kaimbr "Mr. Miyagi Beat Tape" |
| 3. Nicolay "Shibuya Sessions" |
| 4. Cookin' Soul "A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron" |
| 5. J. Boogie "Fireside Sessions" |
Friday, December 30, 2011
Top Drops of 2011: Beat Tapes
Top Drops of 2011: EPs
| @bgzthechief | @akadi |
|---|---|
1. Raekwon "Dope On The Table" | 1. City Sparks "Life In The Red Room" |
| 2. City Sparks "Life In The Red Room" | 2. Slangston Hughes & L'Daialogue DiCaprio "Dollar$ & Daialogue" |
| 3. Sene "exit,us" | 3. Scarub "The California EP" |
| 4. Slangston Hughes & L'Daialogue DiCaprio "Dollar$ & Daialogue" | 4. Charlie Smarts "Low Bottom Me" |
| 5. Charlie Smarts "Low Bottome Me" | 5. J*DaVeY "Evil Christian Cop" |
| 5. Q aka Quest "Quest-ions" | 5. Jakie Skellz "Up There" |
Top Drops of 2011: Mixtapes
| @bgzthechief | @akadi |
|---|---|
1. Curren$y "Verde Terrace" | 1. Tabi Bonney "Postcards From Abroad" |
| 2. Asher Roth "Pabst & Jazz" | 2. Trademark, Young Roddy & Cookin' Soul "Jet Life To The Next Life" |
| 3. Elzhi "Elmatic" | 3. Teedra Moses "Luxurious Undergrind" |
| 4. Sir Michael Rocks "The Rocks Report" | 4. The Weeknd "House of Balloons" |
| 5. Chuuwee & Jonathan Lowell "Be Cool" | 5. Zumbi "Versus" |
| 6. Mac Miller "Best Day Ever" | 6. McKenzie Eddy "Young Platinum" |
| 7. Stalley "Lincoln Way Nights" | 7. Stalley "Lincoln Way Nights" |
| 8. McKenzie Eddy "Young Platinum" | 8. A-Plus "Pepper Spray" |
| 9. A-Plus "Pepper Spray" | 9. Smoka DZA "The Hustlers Catalog" |
| 10. Lykke Li "I Follow Rivers: The Lost Sessions (Vol. 1)" | 10. Jean Grae "Cookies or Comas" |
Top Drops of 2011: Albums
| @bgzthechief | @akadi |
|---|---|
1. Kendrick Lamar "Section 80" | 1. Big K.R.I.T. "Return of 4Eva" |
| 2. Big K.R.I.T. "Return of 4Eva" | 2. Kendrick Lamar "Section 80" |
| 3. Curren$y & Alchemist "Covert Coup" | 3. Adele "21" |
| 4. DJ Quik "The Book of David" | 4. Zion I "Atomic Clock" |
| 5. Wiz Khalifa "Rolling Papers" | 5. Curren$y "Weekend At Burnie's" |
| 6. Adele "21" | 6. Wiz Khalifa "Rolling Papers" |
| 7. Murs "Love & Rockets (Volume 1): The Transformation" | 7. Trademark Da Skydiver "Issue #3: Reign Supreme" |
| 8. Jet Life "Jet World Order" | 8. Murs "Love & Rockets (Volume 1): The Transformation" |
| 9. Eligh & Amp Live "Therapy At 3" | 9. Jill Scott "The Light of the Sun" |
| 10. The Roots "Undun" | 10. Beats Antique "Collide" |
Clusterfunk Collective presents Top Drops of 2011
We did it. We really did it. It’s been three years since we endeavored to create our first blog, and at the end of the most successful (and unbelievable) year we have had yet, we are proud to present our Top Drops of 2011.
However, we had no idea the difficulty that selecting the best albums, mixtapes, EPs, and beat tapes of the last twelve months would be this challenging. Quite obviously this has been an amazing year for artists of all sorts, but one in which musicians have broken the mold. A deal is no longer required (at least not one with a major label), and in many cases it has been more than proven that the road less travelled is likely the better avenue. We also witnessed history as Mac Miller secured the top spot, only the second independent artist to do so since Tha Dogg Pound in 1995. Film footage framed our vision, with artists venturing into web series, live footage, backstage passes, and in-studio performances more than ever before. This and more contributed largely to the erasure of the often misdirected 'hip-hop is dead' sentiments that lingered throughout the first half 2010 and provided the fuel that propelled 2011 to be one of the more memorable musical years in recent memory.
Without further ado…
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Mac Miller Reflects On 2011 [Video]
It's interesting that Mac has taken notice of the lack of appeal of Blue Slide Park (we thought it was just us). Although we can respect the personal nature of the lyricism, the music seemed forced. From an artistic standpoint, he doesn't have to justify it to anyone, and perhaps that is where the beauty within the project lies. Regardless, he has had one unbelievable year that included three mixtapes and one full-length that may not have been his best, but damn sure made history.
Simiah: Purple Dreams [Album]
From King Underground Records:
'Purple Dreams', is a collection of Simiah's beats and gives you a little taster of what to expect from his full length instrumental vinyl release coming early in 2012, called 'Lost in Time.'
DOWNLOAD Purple Dreams
Main Attrakionz: 808s & Dark Grapes II [Mixtape]
From Мишка:
'Subterranean.' 'Submerged underwater.' 'Lo-fi.' All of these words have been used at some point during the last 12 months to describe the sound of Oakland’s 21st century street rappers, Main Attrakionz. But what happens when the enigmatic duo gets a chance to step beyond bedroom studios, and brings their lo-fi aesthetic into high definition? The answer is '808s & Dark Grapes II.' While the first installment in the 808s series (2009) was more accurately described as a playlist of Main Attrkaionz best work at the time, 808s II finds Squadda B and MondreM.A.N. growing as earnest storytellers of their daily struggle.
'808s & Dark Grapes II' is a focused effort that employs production work from some of the most talented and unheralded underground producers from the Bay Area and beyond. Marlee B, NoaBoa, AHYVE, FriendZone and Keyboard Kid all contribute to the sonic blueprint of the release, and of course Squadda laced the project with a few instrumentals of his own. Plus, we have to mention Clams Casino's ODB-sampling opium trip ‘Take 1', featuring Harlem’s A$AP Rocky.
Full of inventive beats, ethereal vocal samples and the sort of original, left-field take on hip hop that has captured a small, but dedicated fanbase, '808s & Dark Grapes II' is presented to you here as a free download. We at Мишка can only hope that our involvement with this project enables the work of Main Attrakionz to reach an entirely new audience looking for rap music like they’ve never heard it before. These guys are the future of Hip Hop plain and simple. Get this, bump this; we know you’re gonna enjoy it.
DOWNLOAD 808s & Dark Grapes II
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Corner Boy P, Trademark & Dee-Low: Fade Away [Video]
Jet World Order, available online and in-stores now.
Trackademics: Cherry 2000 [Mixtape]
The Honor Roll rep drops off five free tracks, available in one mix or separate tracks.
DOWNLOAD Cherry 2000
DJ Jazzy Jeff: Live In Japan [Mixtape]
From DJ Jazzy Jeff:
Today, I thought it would be really cool to give you a Christmas gift from my Asian tour. Since I wanted to take you guys to Asia with me, here’s a live recording from Fukuoka Japan — 'DJ Jazzy Jeff: Made In Japan'. Be sure to download it today. Happy Holidays and Thank You for the Support!
DOWNLOAD Live In Japan
Ghostwridah: The Michael Jordan Theory [E]
Ghostwridah slips in one last project prior to the end of the year.
DOWNLOAD The Michael Jordan Theory
Hellpit Faeries (Jean Grae & Mela Machinko): Jingle Fucking Bells [Mixtape]
Yes, we're two plus days late on this one, but when you hear how hilarious this project is (plus catch the video below), you'll understand why that doesn't fucking matter (pun intended).
DOWNLOAD Jingle Fucking Bells
The Grouch, Evidence, Zion I & Eligh: Amp Live For President [Video]
Z&G&E (Zion I, The Grouch and Eligh) and Evidence birthed a dope song and video this past month while on the road together! The guys just finished the extremely successful (mostly sold out) 19 city 'How The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour'.
'The response has been overwhelming and we just wanted to give the people a little gift for the holidays' says The Grouch about the free download.
Amp Live of Zion I made the beat and the song was complete when Evidence recorded his verse backstage at the Fox Theatre in Boulder Colorado. We shot the video at the venue right before our show in Sacramento. DJ Icewater did the cuts.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanza or whatever it is you choose to celebrate!
Various Artists:The Ghostface Beat Tape Project [Beat Tape]
Kaimbr, Roddy Rod, yU, DJ Dialtone, Kev Brown and a slew of other top-notch producers come together for The Ghostface Beat Tape Project, a tribute to Starks' superior sound selection.
DOWNLOAD The Ghostface Beat Tape Project
Friday, December 23, 2011
Dutchmassive: The Love 2010 [Mixtape]
Dutchmassive pays homage to A Tribe Called Quest with his latest Soundcloud offering.
DOWNLOAD The Love 2010
UrbanWorldTV Interviews Sean Paul [Video]
Sean Paul shares just how insignificant his head of hair is to his career, how important it is to enjoy the work you do, and the transition in his tone relative to trends.
Jason Bentley Interviews Skrillex [Video]
While participating in a panel discussion centered around the RE:Generation Project, Skrillex shares his excitement over his recent Grammy nods, his fervor for the innovation of Hyundai's musical initiative, and his approach to collaboration.
Radio Galaxy: We Come In Peace [Album]
Spacebunny Jefferson and King Coz drop thirteen trippy tracks to lull one into submission. Reminiscent of Melky Sedeck and Morcheeba, with hints of Faith Evans and Outkast, the Houston trio is crafting a conscious and creative groove that is radiating. If the album isn't enough, be sure to view the video for the lead single, Feel Trip, below:
BUY We Come In Peace
Def Sound & Devjop: look.what.iMade.4.you.Vol.Yes! [Mixtape]
As Illav8r puts it - a smooth soiree for the holiday season.
DOWNLOAD look.what.iMade.4.you.Vol.Yes!
3 Little Digs: Kendrick Lamar [Video]
Groove Chambers caught up with Kendrick Lamar in ATL and takes the opportunity to uncover his 3 Little Digs.
Lykke Li: I Follow Rivers (The Lost Sessions, Vol. 1) [Mixtape]
How much more could we ask for?! First a free J. Boogie mix, just in time for the holiday, and now Lykke Li's Lost Sessions?! We must have done something right this year...
DOWNLOAD I Follow Rivers (The Lost Sessions, Vol. 1)
J. Boogie: Fireside Sessions [Mixtape]
Last weekend we felt as if we were sitting Fireside while witnessing our first live J. Boogie set at Om Records Holiday Party, held at Monarch in San Francisco. There would have been no better way to usher in another year of life. Word to AKadi and EDUB.
DOWNLOAD Fireside Sessions
Miss Special Interviews Dom Kennedy [Video]
Miss Special and Dom dig into the real deal on the Monopoly game with Smoke DZA, the highlights of his hustle, and what he has in store for 2012.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
BBC2 presents Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy [Video]
May you live in interesting times. Who can say we don't? As we post this from an iPhone 4S it becomes glaringly apparent the influence that innovators such as Steve Jobs have had on our current affairs. BBC2 has drafted some of the doubters, defiants, and designers to reflect on his brash brilliance.
Freddie Gibbs f. Dom Kennedy & Polyester: Menace II Society [Video]
Gangsta Gibbs brings Dom K and Polyester along for the ride in the latest LRG-directed cut from Cold Day In Hell.
Krayzie Bone: Explosive [Video]
Arguably the most successful member of the original foursome, Krayzie Bone is gearing up to release his ninth studio album, Chasing The Devil, due sometime in 2012.
The Weeknd: Echoes of Silence [Mixtape]
The T-Dot crooner drops of his project of 2012 just in time for Christmas.
DOWNLOAD Echoes of Silence
DJ Roddy Rod: The Making of the Ghostface Beat Tape [Video]
Last week we brought you the Kaimbr edition, now DJ Roddy Rod reveals what he has in store for the project.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Sleepwalkers: Edward Norton [Album]
The Los Angeles-based production dream team behind Wale and the Clipse deliver their first full-length, featuring verses from Murs and Paul Wall, among others.
DOWNLOAD Edward Norton
Aleon Craft & George Clinton: Mothership Decatur [Mixtape]
Aleon Craft co-pilots Mothership Decatur alongside the great George Clinton. The epic project is undoubtedly one of the best surprises of the year.
DOWNLOAD Mothership Decatur
Asher Roth: Pabst & Jazz [Mixtape]
Asher Roth, alongside Blended Babies and Chuck Inglish, finally drops the highly anticipated Pabst & Jazz, featuring Blu, GLC, Chip Tha Ripper among others.
DOWNLOAD Pabst & Jazz
Fresh Crop Music Interviews Da$h [Video]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Bama Love Soul presents The Anthony Hamilton Project [EP]
In case you weren’t aware, Carolina soulman Anthony Hamilton is currently on tour in the effort to drum up some buzz for the December 13th release of his new 'Back To Love' LP.
A couple of these tracks are sparse, simple ballads. A few are more of a mid-tempo toe-tap groove and one slow burner speaks of past hurt, pain and the forgiveness that sometimes comes when one asks a bruised heart to give you another chance.
But all the tracks here have one thing in common, they are undoubtedly driven by Anthony’s passionate and mellow tenor.
The Anthony Hamilton Project
Terrace Martin: Plastic Cups & Blunts [Video]
Terrace give shis ode to Plastic Cups & Blunts the visual treatment. Thoughts From Detention, out now.
DJ Rampage: Sound The Alarm [Mixtape]
As a follow-up totouring with Lauryn Hill, DJ Rampage teams with Cookies-N-Cream for nearly 50 tracks of roots, rock, and reggae.
DOWNLOAD Sound The Alarm
Apple Juice Kid: Dance Clash [Mixtape]
The Apple Juice Kid strays away from the jazz-based mixes he has become so well-know for, opting to take the Terry Urban route to mashup rock and pop hits in his own unique way.
DOWNLOAD Dance Clash
Talib Kweli: Distractions [Video]
Kweli lets loose of the visual for the Oh No-produced lead single from Prisoner of Conscious, set to arrive in 2012.
McKenzie Eddy: Your Darkness [Video]
Your Darkness, the third single from Slow Your Horse Down, Son, draws inspiration from Hitchcock and also showcases McKenzie's visual art.
Madlib & Planet Asia: Cracks In The Vinyl [Mixtape]
To commemorate 15 years worth of Stones Throw Records, Madlib and Planet Asia reveal the Cracks In The Vinyl.
DOWNLOAD Cracks In The Vinyl
The Kid Daytona: The Interlude II [Album]
Daytona drops off his the follow-up to The Interlude, featuring production from 6th Sense and appearances from Melanie Fiona and Goapele among others.
DOWNLOAD The Interlude II
Suburban Empire Interviews Bobby Tre [Video]
Bobby T speaks to Suburban Empire about Heir Gang, what exactly an Illuminheir is, and what inspires him.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wiz Khalifa: California [Video]
All I wanna do is ride in my ride with the top down, and smoke weed with my...
Murs: 67 Cutlass [Video]
In a 67 Cutlass we was riding through the desert with the two pounds of skunk and a piiig in the trunk...
Mick Boogie & SoulKlap: The Blue Throne [Mixtape]
Mick Boogie and SoulKlap blend pre-Throne blueprints from 'Ye and Hov to make The Blue Throne.
DOWNLOAD The Blue Throne
Gods'illa f. Maimouna Youssef: You Don't Have To Be A Star [Video]
Gods'illa lets loose of the second visual from their CPR Blend Tape, hosted by none other than DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown.
Blu & Exile: Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them [Album]
Blu and Exile link once again for an almost featureless full-length (a feat in the art of flow these days) on Bandcamp.
BUY Give Me My Flowers While I can Smell Them
Consequence: Curb Certified [Mixtape]
Cons crafts twelve cuts before Christmas, alongside Kid Cudi, Chuuwee, and Estelle among others.
DOWNLOAD Curb Certified
Nardwuar Interviews Ghostface [Video]
DJ Soul: New York To Cali [Mixtape]
To commemorate the 1-year anniversary of The Hundreds flagship store in NYC the brand enlists DJ Soul to match sound to style.
DOWNLOAD New York To Cali
DJ Rhettmatic Daz-I-Kue & Red-I: The Do Over Manila EP [EP]
Seven years ago, who would have ever thought that our little backyard boogie would one day be hosted on the other side of the world? It’s sometimes hard to live in the moment and truly appreciate how blessed we are to be doing what we love, but a week long excursion in The Philippines this past July was just what the doctor ordered. Part of the overall beauty of Do-Over is being able to experience the local culture of each market and fully enjoy the sights, the sounds, the food & the people. Well, no trip to The PI is complete without a fellow Beat Junkie on your side (and an evening of midget boxing) so it was an honor to bring along our friend, Rhettmatic for his first ever DJ gig in The Motherland alongside Bugz In The Attic’s Daz-I-Kue. Before The Do-Over ManiLA, we escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and ventured through the country side and made our way to the South China Sea. It was here, in the secluded Punta Fuego seaside community where the magic first started. From sun up to sun down, Rhett, Daz & local beatmaker Red-I, drew inspiration from one another and shared their influences to collaborate together as well as create their own tracks over the course of the entire trip. The result was an abundance of tropical heat.
As for the actual party, that was a story of it’s own. Let’s just say Filipino Time is no joke and we ended the party at 5am after countless tea pots of sangria, bottles of Red Horse (in search of the lucky bottle) and bbq pork on a stick. All in all, The Do-Over ManilLA was an experience like no other. From the capacity turnout to the overall respect and hospitality of the people, we were truly honored and blessed to have brought our little backyard boogie to the fine people of The Philippines. As a token of our appreciation, we would like to share the music that was created on this journey.
DOWNLOAD The Do Over Manila EP
Friday, December 16, 2011
Flowback Fridays: The Best Message... [Video]
A quick message To All My Friends. Happy Birthday, BGZ The Chief!
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five f. Melle Mel & Duke Bootee: The Message
Atmosphere: The Best Day
Yael Schulman Gravity [Video]
19-year old NY-bred and Hollywood-based cinematographer Yael Schulman teamed with 11 BMXers and 3 skateboarders to film the pros performing gravity defying jumps and tricks at Air In The Square in Times Square.
Bama Love Soul presents The UnCommonly Good Remixes (Part 3) [Mixtape]
With Part 1 and Part 2 down, Bama Love Soul ends an amazing week of homage to Common.
DOWNLOAD The UnCommonly Good Remixes (Part 3)
Noah-O: Voices [Video]
Charged-Up Entertainment's Noah-O lets loose of his second visual from his first major release, I Got It. If you're anywhere near Richmond on the last Thursday of the month, do not miss Noah and crew LIVE at The Camel.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Koncept f. Sene: Getting Home [Video]
Ski Beatz f. Stalley: Gentleman's Quarterly [Video]
Obii Say: Hey, I Remember You [Video]
DC artist Obii Say enlists Knowledge Entertainment for the first official visual from Donuts For The Villagers.
DJ Spinna: The Best of Mark de Clive Lowe [EP]
One of the better (yet still relatively unknown) producers, Mark de Clive Lowe, referred some of his best work to none other than the legendary DJ Spinna for a redux of epic proportions.
DOWNLOAD The Best of Mark de Clive Lowe
Common: Electric Circus (Instrumentals) [Beat Tape]
What greater gift could have been bestowed upon us all during the lead-up to the release of Common's The Dreamer, The Believer than virtually his entire catalog worth of instrumentals?
DOWNLOAD Electric Circus (Instrumentals)
HHVA: Charged-Up Entertainment Cypher [Video]
HHVA hit us yesterday with a sic cypher featuring Charged-Up Entertainment's roster of artists, including Noah-O, Yung Yankee, Yung Fred, Jus B Chill, Black Lyric, and Oh!. Familiarize yourself with these names as they will soon be flooding your household.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dee-1: My American Dream [Video]
Dee-1 envisions his own version of the American Dream prior to unveiling his Mission Vision in early 2012.
Montreality Interviews k-Os [Video]
Montreality catches up with k-Os and picks his brain to find out what it's like to work with Drake, what kinds of jobs he held prior to becoming an emcee, and what artists currently inhabit his playlist.
Charles Hamilton: And Then They Played Dilla 2 [Mixtape]
Charles Hamilton double-backs for a second round of And Then They Played Dilla.
DOWNLOAD And Then They Played Dilla 2
Tawiah: Run [EP]
You may remember Tawiah from the Aaliyah Revisited project from a few years ago. The London soulstress is gearing up to release her debut album, but before then she suprisingly gifts a free 5-track EP to fans.
The Come Up Show Interviews Freeway [Video]
Freeway sits down with The Come Up Show to express just how important music is to him, explain how he remains relevant, and touches on his recent CNN piece.
GLC: What This Ism Do [Video]
GLC shows us all What This Ism Do in his Terrance Jones-directed visual from Eternal Sunshine of the Pimpin Mind.
Terrace Martin f. Neka LB: U Keep Calling [Video]
Terrace follows up his live rendition of U Keep Calling with an official visual. Thoughts From Detention, out now.
Common: Like Water For Chocolate (Instrumentals) [Beat Tape]
Yesterday we brought you the Resurrection Instrumentals, today the Like Water For Chocolate collection.
DOWNLOAD Like Water For Chocolate (Instrumentals)
Sean O'Connell: Light Bulb Moon [Video]
We had the opportunity to hear Sean's live rendition of Light Bulb Moon during the Hip Hop & Love Tour. Now, to help build steam for his upcoming full-length, he has put together a brief snapshot of his live performances as a sneak peek of what's ahead.
Charles Hamilton: And Then They Played Dilla 2 [Mixtape]
Charles Hamilton double-backs for a second round of And Then They Played Dilla.
DOWNLOAD And Then They Played Dilla 2
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
HardKnockTV Interviews DJ Premier [Video]
Premo touches on his involvement with the RE:Generation Project, his work with Slick Rick, and his disappointment in the aftermath of Guru's death.
The Kid Daytona: Community J.U.I.C.E. Vignettes (Episode 1) - Coffee at the Cafe [Video]
If The Interlude II is anywhere near the quality of its predecessor, then The Kid Daytona can prepare himself for an extremely busy year. Set for a 12/19 drop, The Interlude II arrives at just the right time to give The Kid just the jump he needs heading into the new year.
Bama Love Soul presents The UnCommonly Good Remixes (Part 2) [Mixtape]
As promised, Bama Love Soul double-backs for the second installment on UnCommonly Good Remixes, including 10 tracks not featured on the first.
DOWNLOAD
DJ Quickie Mart: Space Monkey Bootlegs [EP]
In addition to his Space Monkey Radio EP, DJ Quickie Mart has also made the Space Monkey Bootlegs available for free on his Bandcamp.
DOWNLOAD Space Monkey Bootlegs
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